Farmington Police Investigating Shooting Incident with Off-Duty Sheriff

The Sheriff's Office says Ferarri exited his truck to check on the other vehicle when the male driver of the passenger car exited his vehicle wielding a metal pipe. As the male advanced towards him, the suspect's dog jumped out of the car and ran towards Sheriff Ferrari. Observing the dog’s behavior and believing the dog was going to attack him, the Sheriff fatally shot the dog.

February 28, 2023

The Farmington Police Department is investigating an incident involving San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari and a suspect for reckless driving and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. 

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office reports that on Friday, February 17, 2023, Sheriff Ferrari, witnessed a gold passenger car driving dangerously in the Farmington city limits. The sheriff was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle.  The Sheriff's Office says Ferrari observed the driver pass other vehicles twice on a double yellow line and then ran a red light. As he was about to call dispatch to give them the vehicle information, Sheriff Ferrari observed the car had pulled into a parking lot at Arrington St. at La Plata Drive. As the Sheriff exited his truck to check on the other vehicle, the male driver of the passenger car exited his vehicle wielding a metal pipe. At this time, Sheriff Ferrari identified himself as the Sheriff and law enforcement. As the male advanced towards him, the Sheriff instructed him to stop and show his hands. Shortly after, the suspect's dog jumped out of the car and ran towards Sheriff Ferrari. Observing the dog’s behavior and believing the dog was going to attack him, the Sheriff fatally shot the dog. The male immediately stopped and dropped a metal pipe. Dispatch was immediately called and Farmington Police arrived on scene to investigate the incident.

On February 28, 2023, Farmington Police released footage from their Real Time Crime Center that shows a short portion of the suspect's driving and separate video footage from a business at the scene of the confrontation. Currently, the investigation has been presented to the San Juan County District Attorney's Office for review and Farmington Police are coordinating with them to conclude the investigation so a final charging determination can be made.   

Update: On March 1, 2023 authorities issued an arrest warrant for 42 year old Jamie Nino for:

• Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon
• Reckless driving
• passing in a no passing zone
• obedience to traffic control devices

(Video footage of vehicle pursuit southbound on Airport Drive at Apache)